Parkay Hardwood Flooring
There is a distinctive difference in look between standard hardwood flooring and parkay hardwood flooring. This is because parkay is made by puzzling individual pieces of wood together into a block of wood, rather than just using a cut out from a tree. When parkay first became popular, the tiles were made with incredibly intricate designs, each truly being a piece of art. Out of the different parkays, hardwood is the cheapest, but it is also the most difficult to finish a second (or third) time and has a much shorter lifespan. This is something you need to take into consideration, as removing any type of parkay flooring is a long and arduous project.
Parkay Hardwood Flooring Designs
Originally, parkay flooring was made in incredibly intricate designs, some even copying actual works of art. Some of the more common parkay hardwood flooring designs used today include:
- Herringbone
- Basic parkay
- Basket weave
The tiles themselves also come in a range of different measurements, such as length, width and thickness. Because the design of parkay hardwood flooring is unique – no two pieces of parkay look exactly the same – the floor onto which it is laid is also a unique design. Owners simply need to move something in their décor such as rug or a cupboard or table and the floor will look like a completely new floor.
Parkay Harwood Flooring Types and Installation
There are many different types of wood that can make up parkay hardwood flooring, including cherry, beech, oak, walnut or mohagony.
When you are ready to install your floor, you will first need to prepare your underfloor, which can be wood or concrete and must be completely level. You will not be able to attach parkay hardwood flooring to a damp floor as the wood will warp under damp conditions. It is also advisable to have a test run before permanently attaching your floor, so you can experiment with the designs and decide what is going to look best in your home.
With a chalk, mark each piece on your floor so you remember how it goes before you start using the adhesive. Make sure you have properly read the instructions, as adhesives can contain harmful chemicals and you need to be aware of how to handle them. You also need to allow your floor to set for at least 24 hours after installation, meaning you will need to stay out of the room for that period of time. These are all things to take into consideration, particularly if, for example, you need to go through the room you are flooring in case you use it to access a different room. Once it has set, you will need to apply a layer of wax, lacquer or veneer, which will also need to be left to dry for a while.
Parkay hardwood flooring is a beautiful and long lasting type of flooring that can significantly increase the value of your home. Laying it, however, is quite a complex process and you need to know exactly what you are doing before attempting a DIY job.
